Dr. Josephine Mercado Arago: Dentistry is a Profession, Vocation

Small or big, there’s a reason behind a person smile. In the case of Dr. Josephine Mercado Arago most probably it’s because she also one the keys to put smile to many. True she’s a high rank dentist in the land, but she doesn’t consider her profession as mere work, but a calling from above to serve people especially the indigents and children. In the exclusive interview with Trade & Travel Journal, the current president of Philippine Dental Association (PDA) of Batangas City chapter shared with Trade & Travel Journal her all out mission for bouncier oral health of her fellow Filipinos.

For the effervescent dentist, beauty and wellness start in the mouth. What people eat is can be poison or medicine in their body and healthy teeth play big roles to enjoy our munching time. She added in proper chewing, perfect condition of salivary glands, and other parts in the mouth have something to do in seizing any benefits of food.

Despite it’s a simple truth; the pride of University of East’ College of Dentistry pointed there issues that need to address so people will know the value of oral health. Apparently, the stigma that going to dental clinics is expensive and not as important as consulting medical doctors. To eradicate this irrelevant old notion, Dr. Arago and PDA are aggressive to massively educate people especially the kids to take care their teeth. They have programs that say “Malusog Na Katawan Sa Nakangiting Kinabukasan” and “Tanglaw sa Ngiping Matibay.”

The dental health advocate shared oral hygiene awareness, caries prevention, giving toothbrush and toothpaste, and fluoride application are few the things they do in their missions for all ages. Apart from these, they also have radio and TV guestings for their campaigns and collaborate for various sponsors, non-government agencies (NGO), churches, and others.

Dr. Arago is also leading the mission to protect the integrity of their profession, which strengthen the dental tourism in the Philippines. She said one of the taints they like to wash out is the non license practitioners who mask their incapability and unprofessionalism by offering cheap prices. The dental advocate added it is rampant and unfortunately, illegal practitioners’ patients are convinced they’re getting inexpensive service. In fact, the lady doctor stressed they even doubled what they pay and risking their own health. There are public and private dental clinics out there that offer best, safe and affordable dental services.

An example of rampant dental malpractice that Dr. Josephine strongly castigates is the services like DIY (do-it-yourself) braces. She said there are some people wear dental braces for wrong reasons and through wrong procedures. In fact, they had entrapment operations revealed what patients could have with DIY braces.

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Trade and Travel Journal is a blog-styled magazine for the business traveler. It chronicles the journey of global traders and worldwide travelers and presents news and insights that affect their daily lives.